carandbike Awards 2021: Mahindra Thar Wins The Off-Roader Of The Year

The Mahindra Thar has been setting benchmarks when it comes to off-roading and the new-generation model too is potent enough to excel on set standards. It went up against the Land Rover Defender and MG Gloster and was chosen the winner for this category being the most affordable yet stylish lifestyle off-roader. It was a significant launch in the compact SUV space that proved to be a runaway success for Mahindra. The new Mahindra Thar builds up quite admirably on its aesthetics and interior appeal and is a big step up from its predecessor. 

The new Mahindra Thar builds up quite admirably on its aesthetics and interior appeal

It is also updated with some new features like a 7.0-inch touchscreen unit that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In terms of off-road equipment, the new Thar gets a mechanical 4x4 transfer case as standard with four-wheel low, four-wheel high and two-wheel drive modes and has a low crawl ration of 42:1 which can multiply the low end torque by 2.48 times. It is equipped with an independent suspension at the front while the rear gets a multi-link unit. The rear axle comes with a mechanical locking differential as well and the electronic stability program (ESP) helps shift traction to the right wheel, precisely when needed. It has a water wading ability of 650 mm with and an unladen ground clearance of 226 mm. Then it has an approach angle of 42 degrees, ramp-over angle of 27 degrees and a departure angle of 37 degrees.

Under the hood, the new Thar 2020 comes with a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder mHawk diesel engine and a brand new 2.0-litre mStallion turbocharged petrol. Both comply with the latest BS6 emission regulation. The updated diesel engine makes 130 bhp and 300 Nm of torque, whereas the all-new turbo petrol mill develops 150 bhp and 320 Nm of power figures. Transmission duties will be carried out by a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission.